The Israel Nature and Parks Authority is inviting the public to celebrate February in full bloom at Besor National Park–Eshkol Park, with the return of the ‘Darom Balev’ (South in the Heart) festival.
Set among springs and green lawns in the western Negev, the park will host a mix of nature, local culture and family-friendly educational activities throughout the month.
Visitors can enjoy a vibrant local arts market, food stalls and regional agricultural produce, alongside circus performances and live music. The program also includes ‘Desert Magic’ workshops showcasing Bedouin traditions, new family games and a disc golf activity suitable for all ages.
“We are seeing the western Negev this year after a blessed rainy winter, at the peak of its beauty, with carpets of anemones and wildflowers filling every corner,” said Efrat Ruhin, community and public coordinator for the Israel Nature and Parks Authority’s southern district. “The meeting between water and blooming nature in Eshkol Park truly opens the heart and offers a perfect escape into nature. I invite families to walk among the springs and enjoy a rich program that connects the beauty of the Israeli winter with local culture at its best.”
As part of the celebrations and marking World Wetlands Day, a special research zone focusing on aquatic habitats will be set up in the park. Children and parents will be able to become ‘researchers for a day,’ discovering tiny water creatures and amphibians, observing them through magnifying glasses and joining guided tours along the springs and the Besor stream.
Activities for Israeli visitors will take place on Saturdays, February 7, 14, 21 and 28, and on Friday, February 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guided tours will depart every Saturday at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
On Friday, February 27, only nature and environmental activities and guided tours will be held, without the market.
Participation is included in the standard entrance fee and is free for Matmon subscribers. Activities are subject to weather conditions, and visitors are advised to check updates on the Israel Nature and Parks Authority website.